Chic Fall Backpack Purse… From Target!!!

fall backpack purse

Hey guys!

I wanted to share with y’all about my new backpack purse I got from Target.  This was actually the last one they had of this purse at my Target…. So I took it as a sign that it was destined for me. 😉

I had been in search for a backpack purse.  My sister had been carrying one for months and told me that I needed to get one. 

Check out my video review of my purse here!

Fall Backpack Purse

 

Here is the link to this purse.

CLICK HERE: It is the VR by Violet Ray Kendall Backpack. It was only $34.99! 

 

fall backpack purse

Here is my pro’s and con’s list for the bag:

 

Pro’s:

-Love, Love, Love the color – Perfect for fall!

-Lots of room.

-Several pockets.  2 outside, 2 inside.

Con’s :

-The material is “faux-leather”.  When I put this backpack on, if I don’t move my hair out of the way, it gets caught in my hair.  What’s worse is that due to this material, it sticks to my hair.  This is not fun at all when it feels like it is pulling my hair.

-Adjusting the straps is a pain.  My husband had to help me.

-Floppy.  I actually don’t care for bags that don’t hold its structure when you sit it down.  This one as soon as you sit it down, it flops over.  Maybe if I carried more stuff it would do better. 

 

fall backpack purse

Overall, I was pretty happy with my purchase.  I’ve gotten a few compliments on the bag as well.  It is a great purchase for its price. 

I’m always searching for the next, great affordable bag, so leave your suggestions down in the comments!

 

-Gracefully Fashionable

My Obsession with My Day Designer – NEW Midyear 2018-2019 Mini Planner

I am a planner girl. I cannot go a day without my planner. I’ve actually been a planner girl pretty much my whole life. I remember being in elementary school and I would always write down my assignments each day and fill out my calendar every month. Seriously, I do not think that is normal for a 9 year old. 😉

I first found Day Designer at Target. I was a newly wed and trying to manage my life just out of a notebook and it was about to make me go crazy.

 

2018-2019 Midyear Day Designer planner

 

It was actually the same design I bought this year. Very Kate Spade like. 😉 I have now purchased this planner for the third year in a row. I actually considered and looked at other planners this year, just to see if there was anything better.

I asked my friends about their planners and even watched a few YouTube’s comparing different planners. But none of them had everything laid out like I wanted it, except my Day Designer. What can I say Day Designer has spoiled me. 😉

So what does the July 2018 – June 2019 look like?

I get the mini size; I have had the larger and still just prefer the size of the mini. That’s just a personal preference for me.

I love the hardback cover this planner had. I have traveled with this planner and use it every day and I have never had an issue with the cover becoming damaged. And trust me, I am not the most graceful. 😉

2018-2019 Midyear Day Designer Planner

 

You open the binder and it comes with two pages of adorable gold stickers to use through out your planner. Perfect! I actually do not use a lot of stickers in my planner but these are nice for special occasions.

Next you have two pages that introduce the planner as well as detachable ruler you can keep and use in your planner. I most likely will not use the ruler but it is nice to have if you need it.

The next 4 pages are goal oriented, which is great in planning your year. These pages focus on a reality check to see what you spend time and money on. There is a chart for your top 5 values, passions, and strengths. As well as charts to help meet your goals anywhere from three months to a year out. I think it is so important to look over these pages whenever you are feeling discouraged. They can be an encouragement to remind you what is really important.

The following two pages is a weekly layout to help plan out your weeks if you are interesting in creating a routine.

 

Check out my video review of this planner here!

2018-2019 Midyear Day Designer Review

 

The last two pages before the planner starts is a 2018 and 2019 year calendar, showing you a small monthly layout for each month that year.

One of the best things is that the planner starts out with the month of June! Thank you so much Day Designer for giving us that extra month. My last planner only went through May, so the thought of going a month without a planner was a little terrifying. 😉

My only dislike is that they did not give us a June 2018 calendar page. But that can be handled by printing off a June month calendar from the Internet. Crisis avoided!

My biggest love with the Day Designer is how the days are laid out.

2018-2019 Midyear Day Designer Planner

You have-

  • Today’s Top Three – which is three things you must get done

You have a section to write things like:

  • Due – like bills!
  • Dinner – I use this for my meal planning.
  • Dollars – I have never really used this here.
  • Don’t forget – always helpful for a reminder.

Next the middle part of the page is split into two sections:

  • A daily agenda from 7 am to 7 pm- very helpful when needing to write down specific times.
  • The second part of the page is a to-do list, which I use every day. I write down my chores for the house, or errands I need to run.
  • At the bottom of the page is a note section, which is also handy to write down things so you don’t forget.
  • Last part is a daily gratitude. I think this is one of the most important parts of the planner. Because even on our worse days, or days when we didn’t get anything on our list done, we always have something to be thankful for.

 

2018-2019 Midyear Day Designer Planner

 

Saturday and Sunday are a little different. They are both on the same page but there is still room for top three and daily agenda. Also, at the bottom there is a layout of small squares for each day next week. So that you can go ahead and write down anything that is important so you don’t forget next week.

My tip for Saturday and Sunday is to plan out your meals on the agenda. For example:

Breakfast – 8am – smoothie!

Lunch – 12pm – McAllister’s!

Supper –  6pm – Pizza!!!

I know that does not sound very healthy, but it sounds delicious. 😉 Also you can write down your to-do list on a separate small sheet of paper or just make little squared off sections on your agenda for your to-do list. I’ve done both ideas!

So I hope I have explained why I love my Day Designer so much. I’m pretty sure unless something better comes along; I am going to be buying this planner for the rest of my life. 😉 So check out the website for Day Designer!

Also, check out my YouTube channel for other planner reviews!

2017-2018 Midyear Day Designer Planner

2017-2018 Midyear Day Designer

(They actually have a print for this year similar to this print!)

 

Day Designer, Plan with me!

Plan with me, using my Day Designer!

 

Day Designer Planner

Check out my review of my full size Day Designer Planner

Happy Planning!

-britt

Why I Stopped Wearing SO much Makeup

Why I stopped Wearing so much makeup

I have always loved makeup. I remember growing up I’d watch my mother and nana apply their makeup on  Sunday mornings. I remember being thrilled when I was allowed to wear blush and lip-gloss.

I always loved looking through magazines and seeing the next great item to use. I still to this day enjoy browsing Ulta or looking for the one-hit-wonder makeup item.

In my teens and collage years, makeup would take me forever to apply. And some of this time was even before eyebrow gel was a thing. 😉 I had to apply a primer, then concealer, and next was foundation.  The type of foundation that was complete coverage was the goal.

Then blush and bronzer was next. Bronzer was something I never was good at. Next you had to do your eyes, which involved 3-5 shades of eye shadow. To this day, I still am not good at eye liner, so I always skipped that step. Lastly, was to curl the lashes and add mascara.

Later on, you had to add more steps like coloring in your eyebrows or using a gel on them. Also highlight on the top of your cheeks and setting spray was a must.

While at times, this was fun to explore and play with makeup, I absolutely dreaded having to take it off. I wish they would make a product that took it all off in one swipe. 😉 Also it was getting time consuming.

Since I have been married, I feel like my makeup routine has completely changed. Partly, because my husband would always say, “Why does it take you so long to get ready?” 😉 But also because I feel like I have grown more as a person.

Now I can actually do all of my makeup in about 5 minutes, and I love it. I love being able to just get up and go.

Why I stopped wearing so much makeup

Check out my Fresh in Fifteen video!  Get ready with me skincare, hair care, and makeup all in 15 minutes!

My makeup now just includes:

-Sometimes primer, sometimes not – depends on my mood 😉

-Cover FX Mineral Powder Foundation – works well with my skin, super easy to apply – not messy like liquid foundation

-Blush – I enjoy Tarte or Milani

– Maybelline eyebrow gel – I don’t always use it, depends on my mood. Sometimes I feel life was simpler when I didn’t have to fill in my brows. 😉

– Eye shadow – one color sometimes two – also depends on the occasion

-Mascara – I enjoy Tarte Lights Camera Lashes, or Maybelline Rocket

– Chap stick or lipstick – I have been loving Burt’s Bees lip shimmers

That’s it! And I love it! Simple! Sometimes I use setting spray and sometimes I don’t.

One thing that really helped me learn to accept my natural beauty, was to embrace my natural beauty. Changing my diet helped me gain more confidence for that.

Over the past year, I have given up gluten due to allergy issues as well as really limiting my dairy intake. My skin has never been clearer in my life. I now only get the occasional monthly breakout around my chin. But even then, they are not as bad of a breakout as they use to be.

I don’t feel like I have to cover up my skin anymore with foundation or hide my pimples with concealer. I now feel more beautiful when someone tells me I’m pretty, because I know I’m not hiding anything with my mask of makeup.

My point I am trying to get here, is that I hope for everyone, makeup is a fun hobby, not something you feel you have to apply perfectly everyday. There are some days now I go run errands without makeup and feel perfectly fine and pretty. I did not use to be like that.

My hope and prayers is that as women, we learn to take care of ourselves with our diets, habits, and taking time for ourselves. That through that, our true inner beauty shines out and we realize that makeup is just an accessory.

gluten free, dairy free, skin care

No makeup – just natural

Remember:

“You are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in every way.” -Song of Solomon 4:7

 

What’s in my Coach Tote Handbag!?!

Anyone else a purse-a-holic? I am recovering though! Growing up I had so many purses. As I’ve aged I’ve gotten it down to where I have less than 10.

 

handbag collection

Check out my YouTube video about my purse collection

 

I use to be a cross body only type of girl but here lately I have fallen in love with this coach Tote bag I got for Christmas. I love the color and the size is perfect.

 

Coach Handbag Review

Check out my review video here!

 

So what do I keep in my Coach tote bag?

 

coach tote bag

 

-1- My coach wallet – which I’ve had for years, but I love how I can just carry it by itself if needed.

 

-2- Coupons! I feel like as an adult your grow to like coupons more and more. I keep this envelope in my purse for my grocery and other coupons. My husband offered to get a nicer looking envelope, but my frugal self just couldn’t let myself.

 

-3- Purple Pen – these are one of my favorite pens to write with. Life should be colorful. 😉

 

-4- Tissues – its allergy season, thank you Spring.

 

-5- Orbit gum – spearmint is my fav!

 

-6- Cover FX Pressed Mineral Foundation – love this stuff covers well and is easy to apply!

 

-7- Thirty-One compact mirror

 

-8- Purse Hanger – this was a gift from my mother-in-law years ago, and its still handy!

 

-9- Random Life Saver mint

 

-10- Burt’s Bees – I use this stuff religiously

 

-11- Bodycology Truly Yours Moisturizing Body Cream

 

-12- Clean Cool Cotton perfume sample

 

-13- Mini Hair Brush

 

-14- Visine for contacts

 

-15- Pocket knife – My husband got me this to keep in my purse and it is actually really handy!

 

-16- Lady items 😉

 

It is honestly a little weird now knowing I carry 16 items on my every day, but I do actually use all these items. Or like the pocketknife, I don’t always need it but it’s handy when I do need it.

One thing I love about this purse is how it holds all this stuff and still doesn’t seem full. I can and have easily added papers I need to carry, my Ipad, my Bible, and my glasses, and the tote holds it all very well.

I plan on carrying this bag for most the year, and possibly ordering it in another color. 😉

SPRING HAUL – OLD NAVY, MEIJERS, BATH & BODY, AND MORE!!!

Spring Haul

Hey guys!

I did not expect while writing this post to look out my window and see snow! It’s been so nice the week before and now its barely above freezing. Oh well, hopefully seeing these clothes will make you think warm thoughts!

I love clothes, if you haven’t noticed. 😉 Wearing something that makes you feel pretty just makes your day ten times better. I don’t know why God gave me the passion for fashion, but I hope to share with y’all some cute finds and give you some encouragement!

If I could only shop at Old Navy, I think I would be perfectly fine with that. 😉 This is probably my favorite outfit I found. I love stretchy BUT cute pants. Who wants to wear jeans all the time?

OLD NAVY SPRING OUTFIT

I already own one pair of these pants in black and now I’ve bought this similar pair in pink. Perfect for spring! I believe these pants were around $30, but I’m sure they will go on sale soon. I love how comfy they are.

One thing I love about these pants is you can dress them down casually with a fitted tee and maybe a scarf. Or you can dress them up with a nice top, like I got!

This off shoulder top is comfy and soft; those are my major two requirements. 😉 This top was around $20. It fits great and doesn’t slip around too much on my shoulders.

 

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEO WHERE I SHOW MY CLOTHING HAUL!

 

My next favorite thing I got was with floral sporty hoodie from Meijer. I have been eyeing this for a month! It is originally $24, but I got it for $12, SCORE! It’s so comfy and I plan to wear it a lot this spring while running around doing errands.

 

Okay y’all, anyone else loving boutiques lately? I have loved the Pink Lilly Boutique and the Dixieland Boutique. Both boutiques have a website and an actual store in my hometown of Bowling Green, KY! I have a shopping cart full of stuff I’d love to buy, but I’m on a budget so going to have to wait and pay for it with cash. Good ol’ Dave Ramsey philosophy!

 

With cash, I paid for this cute cold shoulder top from Pink Lilly. I thought the blue would go well with my fair skin tone. #Nevertanforeverpale 😉 I plan on styling this top with jeans and a cute scarf.

 

 

I love cute T-Shirts. I found this one at Sam’s in Bowling Green. It is a mint green University of Kentucky T-shirt. I know I say comfy and soft a lot, but seriously this is one of the comfiest T-shirts I own! I actually wore it as a PJ shirt last night!

A few other things I got was:

These Reebox pants, regularly $21, I got them for $15!  They will be great if I stay on a workout schedule, but if not they will make great errand pants.

Watermelon Lemonade candle from Bath & Body Works.  It is a clean floral scent!  They were having a two for $25 deal!

Shadowsense eye shadow color in rose gold.  Thanks mom!

 

So I want to encourage you as we start getting out our clothes for spring. This has become one of my favorite Bible verses while working on my blog:

 

“You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.”

Song of Solomon 4:7

 

Clothes should just be a reflection of our inner beauty. No matter what you wear, know that you are most beautiful just being yourself! A smile and caring heart are for more beautiful than any outfit could be.